Opposition figures in Nigeria have rejected a proposal in the Senate seeking to reduce the number of political parties in the country to a maximum of ten.
The move has drawn swift condemnation from opposition leaders and democracy advocates across the country.
The proposal was raised on Wednesday by Senator Muntari Dandutse, representing Katsina South, during plenary on “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act, No. 13, 2022 and Enact the Electoral Bill, 2025.”
Senator Dandutse argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be empowered to reduce the number of political parties, claiming that most existing ones “only exist on paper.”
He said, “It must not be more than 10. Some of them exist only in name and have no real structures.”
His statement, however, sparked outrage among opposition figures who described the proposal as a direct attack on Nigeria’s democracy. However, several political leaders have since voiced strong opposition to the idea.
Chief Peter Ameh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), condemned the suggestion, calling it “a dangerous step backward” for Nigeria’s political system.
“This misguided suggestion is the inevitable result of anti-democratic politicians forcing their way into our legislative chambers, in blatant disregard of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the freedom of association and political participation,” Ameh said.
He warned that any attempt to tamper with citizens’ political rights would be “antithetical to democracy.”
Ameh also recalled that similar efforts to deregister parties in the past were met with strong resistance from political groups and civil society.
“This proposal reflects a sinister attempt to drag Nigeria back to a one-party era — a dystopian idea patriotic Nigerians fought against years ago,” he added.
Also reacting, Chief Chekwas Okorie, founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), rejected the proposal, insisting that multi-party democracy remains essential in a diverse nation like Nigeria.
He noted that any political group that meets INEC’s requirements deserves registration. “Limiting the number of parties will deny Nigerians the right to pursue their legitimate political aspirations,” Okorie said.
The proposal is part of ongoing legislative discussions on the 2025 Electoral Bill, which seeks to introduce several changes to Nigeria’s election laws.